There are a multitude of reasons why someone would visit an eye care professional. Optometrists specialize in dealing with glasses and contacts as well as identifying any problems that may be affecting the eye, including lazy and twitching eyes. The following are questions to consider asking an eye care professional when visiting.

Are there alternatives to the treatment for my infection?
For infections such as pink eye, most doctors would recommend either a topical cream or eye drops. In most cases, people don’t like to apply the cream so they opt for the drops. Different kinds of drops treat a variety of uses, such as tear drops for dry eyes.

Are contact lenses right for me?
Some people’s eyes are irritated by contact lenses. IT can cause problems such as redness, irritation because they won’t stay centered, or they could just fall out. Unfortunately, there’s no real way to know without trying, so you may need to pay your optometrist an extra visit to get prescription lenses for glasses.

Is it safe/ worthwhile to have laser eye surgery?
Some people’s vision isn’t bad enough to have laser eye surgery, so it might not be worth the risk. Make sure to visit your doctor and have a proper examination first before deciding. Laser surgery is a lot safer today that it was just a few years ago, but there are always risks associated with surgery of any kind.

Can my prescription change?
The simple answer to this is yes. People’s eyesight naturally decays, so it’s important to get regular exams, especially if you notice your vision declining. An optometrist will adjust your prescription accordingly during your visit.

National Eye InstituteEye care laser technology is safe and effective in treating this disease that affects more than one-third of the nearly 10 million Americans who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Contact us today to learn more.

American Academy of OphthalmologyProviding eye care services is a vital medical practice around the world, so make sure you can compete by getting the best education. It starts here at our academy for ophthalmology doctors.

American Optometric AssociationDedicated to promoting the importance of eye care through advocacy, business development, and our public directory of optometrists. Find an eye care center and doctor near you today!

National Optometric AssociationFind out more about how you can get access to exceptional eye care in your area through our association. Committed to making eye care accessible and affordable to all families in the nation.

"Know your vision insurance plan before you come here! They tried to sell me a $300+ contact plan when my insurance paid for 8 boxes of contacts for only a $20 co-pay. Then they argued that the contact fitting fee was not covered as part of my co-pay when I assured them that it was. They charged me an extra $75 dollars for whatever a 'contact fitting fee' entails. I later called my insurance compan ..."

Patients will come in contact with a few different levels of professionals when it comes to obtaining quality eye care. The first person customers will likely encounter is the receptionist, who can take phone calls, set up appointments, and advise on insurance coverage. He or she will likely convey the first impression of the business, so courteous behavior and happy demeanor is important for this position.

Another professional operating within this industry is the optometrist, optician, or ophthalmologist. He or she may be a doctor. If so, he or she can perform laser eye surgery for lazy eyes and twitching, among others things, such as fittings for glasses and contacts, or exams. The professional you deal with may also treat irritated infections, perform exams, prescribe drops and artificial tears for dry eyes.

Patients may also come into contact with physician's assistants and nurses who also help out within the office. Schooling pertaining to the professional's exact needs is required. For instance, ophthalmologists are doctors that must have a medical degree in order to prescribe medication and perform surgery. Eye care professionals must also have many years of experience in the field, often apprenticing for some time before striking out on their own.

Services offered by eye care professionals may include laser surgery, treatments for conditions, such as lazy eyes, and prescriptions for contact lenses and glasses. Some patients may have chronic problems with their vision, while others only need to see the optometrist once a year for check-ups and exams. Some centers specialize in pediatric care, while others focus on adults.

The main focus of eye care professionals is to provide a range of care for patients in regards to the eye and related systems.